Travels in the Mogul Empire (Bernier) 2.14.7

2.14.7

but perceiving that the ceaseless fire of the Emir's artillery ruined his fortifications, which consisted only of made earth, sand, and fascines, and that the approaching rains would render his position still less tenable, he withdrew under favour of the night, leaving behind him two larges pieces of ordnance. The fear of some ambuscade deterred the enemy from pursuing him that night, and before break of day the rain descended so violently that no idea could be entertained of quitting Rage-Mehalle. Happily for Sultan Sujah, the shower that fell so opportunely, was the commencement of those incessant and heavy rains with which the country is visited in the months of July, August, September, and October. They render the roads so difficult that no army can act offensively during their prevalence; and upon the present occasion the Emir was obliged to put his troops into winter-quarters at Rage-Mehalle; while Sujah remained at liberty to choose the place of his retreat, and to reinforce his army. A large number of Portuguese came to him from Lower Bengale, bringing with them several pieces of cannon. The great fertility of the soil attracts many Europeans to these parts, and it was Sultan Sujah's policy to encourage and conciliate the foreigners settled in this province. He particularly favoured the Portuguese Missionary Fathers, holding out a prospect of future wealth to them all, and promising to build churches wheresoever they might desire to have them erected.